Essex missed out on top spot in their Friends Provident Trophy group after being beaten by Middlesex.

Essex were already through to the last eight but had the chance of overtaking first-placed Kent with a win and securing a home tie in the next round.

But they lost by 18 runs courtesy of the Duckworth-Lewis method after bad light had stopped play.

Middlesex had reached 120-2 from 25 overs in reply to Essex's total of 244-8 from 50 overs.

Ryan ten Doeschate had struck a brilliant 97 off 93 balls for the visitors as he helped them recover from being reduced to 61 for four.

Ten Doeschate was denied his first one-day century for Essex in the final over when he missed an in-swinging full toss from Vernon Philander and saw his leg stump knocked out of the ground.

Middlesex openers Ed Smith and Billy Godleman got their team off to a flying start and shared a first-wicket partnership of 56 in 11 overs.

But Smith fell for 22 after being trapped leg before playing across the line.

Shaun Udal, pushed up the order to number three, smashed 34 runs in unorthodox fashion before he was dismissed with Danish Kaneira's first ball.

Bad light and then rain brought an abrupt end to the play - giving Middlesex the win and ending Essex's hopes of a home tie in the quarter-finals.